UL was $20,000 for testing. Yes, not having the mark limits the market. That’s all part of the reason it’s so expensive.
Understand that the product has been tested to be fully compliant with all applicable US, CSA, EU, FCC standards, at great expense. Now Intertek wants to be my business partner and charge me to “certify” those tests by applying their trademark based on costly random inspections of a facility that will not be actually making the product. It sells the public and the client short. It says volumes when Intertek will not defend the rational of their program, and just fall back on a “that’s the way we do it” argument.
I’ve not finished negotiating this and it may be that I can come to accept Intertek’s unjustified fees, but I’m continually exploring alternatives. There may be ways to reduce the fees, but getting information from them is like pulling teeth. It’s just another big bureaucracy. The Europeans have a much better approach.